Guelph, Ont. – After posting the best record (14-5) in the OUA's West division in 2013-2014, the Gryphon women's volleyball team will look to build on that success when they start their 2014-2015 campaign on Friday (Oct. 17) versus Ryerson. 

Last season, the Gryphons racked up wins on the court, and awards off of it.  Madison Dedecker (Dorchester, Ont.) was named an OUA West first-team all-star, the OUA West's rookie of the year and was also named to the CIS all-rookie team.  She led the Gryphons with 3.57 points per set, while also contributing 123 digs from the backcourt.  DeDecker is one of five returning starters, which include Rebecca Breau (London, Ont.), Ashleigh Andzel (Whitby, Ont.), Nicole Collard (Sudbury, Ont.) and Kristen Almhjell (Richmond), as the Gryphons will look to once again make it back to the OUA's Final Four.  Kristen Almhjell now enters her third year after being named the OUA West Libero of the Year a season ago when she posted 300 digs for an impressive 4.17 digs per set, ranking her second in the OUA and in the top 10 in the country.
 
While the Gryphons will rely on consistent performances from those five returning starters, they also expect big contributions from a trio of returners in middle blocker Jennifer Johnstone (North Vancouver, BC), right side Shannon Morelli (London, Ont.) and setter Katelyn Larson (Calgary, AB).  Added to the mix are a couple of talented transfers who bring with them some added veteran presence in 6' middle blocker Farren Varty-Macdonald (Gibsons, BC) and 5'9" libero Kristi Storoschuk (Burlington, Ont.). 

Leading this group is the reigning OUA West divisions Coach of the Year Paul Funk, who now enters his 10^th year as the head coach of the women's volleyball program at U of G.